Automatic removal of mineral deposits from liquid

Abstract

A device and method for removal of minerals from a supply of liquid such as water. The device includes a tank with an inner surface functioning as a first electrode, at least one inlet for liquid and at least one outlet to a system requiring liquid arranged such that entry and exit of liquid create a cyclonic flow, at least one second electrode within the tank placed so that the cyclonic flow of liquid passes between the two electrodes, and a mechanism for creating an electric current flowing between the two electrodes. The method includes the steps of causing a liquid to circulate cyclonically within a tank, applying an electric current to the circulating liquid so that minerals within the liquid precipitate on an inner surface of the tank, and reversing a polarity of the electric current in order to loosen the precipitated minerals from the inner surface of the tank.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for the automatic removal of minerals from a liquid supply, the device comprising: 
 (a) a tank having an inner surface functioning as an electrode, a lower portion, and an upper portion having: 
 (i) at least one inlet for the liquid, and  
 (ii) at least one outlet for the liquid,  
    said at least one inlet and at least one outlet being arranged such that entry and exit of liquid from said tank create a cyclonic flow;    (b) at least one additional electrode, located within said tank, such that said cyclonic flow of liquid passes between said at least one additional electrode and said inner surface of said tank; and    (c) a mechanism for creating an electric current flowing between said at least one additional electrode and said inner surface of said tank.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 (d) a venturi mechanism, in communication with said lower portion of said tank; and  
 (e) a drain valve, in communication with said venturi mechanism.  
 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 (d) a regulatory mechanism for controlling said electric current flowing between said electrodes, flow of liquid into said tank via said inlet, and flow of liquid out of said tank via said outlet    
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 (e) a regulatory mechanism for controlling said electric current flowing between said electrodes, flow of liquid into said tank via said inlet, flow of liquid out of said tank via said outlet, said venturi mechanism and said drain valve.    
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism for creating an electric current produces an electric current between 2 and 100 Amperes.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism for creating an electric current produces an electric current between 3 and 20 Amperes.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism for creating an electric current produces an electric current of approximately 5 Amperes.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism for creating an electric current is operative to apply a potential difference of between 3 and 24 volts between said inner surface and said additional electrode.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism for creating an electric current is operative to apply a potential difference between 6 and 12 volts between said inner surface and said additional electrode.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said mechanism for creating an electric current is operative to apply a potential difference of approximately 9 volts between said inner surface and said additional electrode.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 (f) a liquid conduit connecting said outlet from said tank to said venturi mechanism.    
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 (g) a one-way valve which allows said liquid to flow in said conduit exclusively from said outlet to said venturi mechanism.    
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one additional electrode includes at least one metal selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel, iron, aluminum, molybdenum, chromium, and titanium.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 (d) a release valve for gases liberated by the electrolysis reaction which occurs when an electric current flows between said inner surface of said tank and said at least one additional electrode.    
     
     
         15 . A method for the removal of minerals from a liquid in a tank, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) causing the liquid to circulate cyclonically within the tank;    (b) applying an electric current to the liquid circulating in the tank in said cyclonic fashion, thereby causing the minerals to precipitate on an inner surface of the tank so that a bond is formed between the minerals and said inner surface; and    (c) reversing a polarity of said electric current, thereby weakening the bond of said precipitated minerals to said inner surface of said tank.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (d) applying a physical force to said precipitated minerals, thereby freeing said precipitated minerals from said inner surface of said tank;    (e) removing said precipitated minerals from said tank via a drain.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said physical force is supplied by said cyclonic circulation of the liquid in the tank.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of: 
 (d) providing a venturi mechanism in a lower portion of the tank; and    (e) causing the liquid to flow through said venturi mechanism, thereby augmenting said cyclonic flow.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said steps are applied cyclically.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said reversing of said polarity of said electric current is effected for a time greater than 30 seconds and less than 5 minutes.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said reversing of said polarity of said electric current is effected for a time greater than 1 minute and less than 3 minutes.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said reversing of said polarity of said electric current is effected for approximately 2 minutes.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said cyclical application of steps is effected at least once every 24 hours, but less often than every 5 minutes.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said cyclical application of steps is effected at least once every 12 hours, but less often than every 15 minutes.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said cyclical application of steps is effected at least once every 8 hours, but less often than every 20 minutes.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said cyclical application of steps is effected every 30 minutes.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said electric current is between 2 and 100 Amperes.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said electric current is between 3 and 20 Amperes.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said electric current is approximately 5 Amperes.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said electric current is applied by steps including: 
 (i) introducing an additional electrode to the tank, and    (ii) imposing a potential difference of from 3 volts to 24 volts between said inner surface of the tank and said additional electrode.    
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said electric current is applied by steps including: 
 (i) introducing an additional electrode to the tank, and    (ii) imposing a potential difference of from 6 volts to 12 volts between said inner surface of the tank and said additional electrode.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said electric current is applied by steps including: 
 (i) introducing an additional electrode to the tank, and    (ii) imposing a potential difference of approximately 9 volts between said inner surface of the tank and said additional electrode.    
     
     
         33 . A method for removing mineral deposits from an inner surface of a tank, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing at least one cathode within the tank;    (b) causing an electric current to flow between said at least one cathode and the inner surface of the tank, the inner surface of the tank then serving as an anode, thereby loosening the mineral deposits from the inner surface; and    (c) removing said mineral deposits from said inner surface of said tank by means of a physical force.    
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein said physical force is supplied by a cyclonic flow within the tank.